Wine Road Podcast - Episode 237 - Julie Pedroncelli St. John
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
Release Date: 10/09/2025
Wine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
Episode Summary Who is Susie Selby, and what does it take to build an independent winery in Sonoma County? In this episode of the Wine Road Podcast, Katie Ambrosi sits down with Susie Selby, owner, winemaker, and sole proprietor of Selby Winery in downtown Healdsburg, California, for a wide-ranging conversation about winemaking, harvest in Sonoma County, the evolution of Healdsburg, and more than 25 years of making wine under the Selby label. Susie shares the story of founding Selby Winery with her father in the late 1990s and continuing the winery after his unexpected death just a few years...
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Savor Sonoma at Graton Resort & Casino: Carey Sweet on AYA, Live Fire & Vine & Sonoma County Wine Wine Road: Wine, When & Where Podcast Host: Katie Ambrosi Guest: Carey Sweet — longtime Sonoma County wine and food writer and Public Relations Manager at Graton Resort & Casino Episode Summary What’s new at Graton Resort & Casino, and what can wine and food lovers expect from Savor Sonoma Live Fire & Vine? In this episode of the Wine Road: Wine, When & Where Podcast, Katie Ambrosi sits down with longtime Sonoma County wine and food writer Carey Sweet...
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Italian Wines in Sonoma County with Mark Orsi | Festa Italia di Healdsburg Wine When and Where Podcast Guest: Mark Orsi, Orsi Family Vineyards What Italian grape varieties grow in Sonoma County? Why are grapes like Sangiovese, Barbera, Aglianico, Negroamaro and Sagrantino finding a home in Northern California? And where can wine lovers taste Italian varietal wines from dozens of California producers in one place? In this episode of the Wine When and Where Podcast, we sit down with Mark Orsi of Orsi Family Vineyards in Healdsburg, California, to explore Italian wine in Sonoma County, the...
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Show Notes, Guest: Emily Haws, Brand Strategist & Em in the Kitchen Recorded at: Foppiano Vineyards and J Vineyads in Healdsburg, CA In this episode, host Executive Director, Katie Ambrosi sits down with Emily Haws — brand strategist, foodie extraordinaire, and the woman behind the beloved social handle @EmintheKitchen — to talk about her deep love of food, her journey into the wine world, and her work helping bring the Wine Road's historic 50th Anniversary Gala to life. What we cover: How Emily's passion for food began (blackberries, church, and getting in trouble) Her background...
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After an incredible run hosting the Wine Road Podcast, Beth Costa is stepping into retirement and passing the microphone to Wine Road's new Executive Director, Katie Ambrosi. In this special episode, Beth reflects on her years with Wine Road, the evolution of the organization, and the relationships she's built throughout Sonoma County's wine community. She also shares why she's excited about the future and officially introduces Katie as the new host of the podcast. Katie talks about her passion for storytelling, supporting Wine Road members, and her vision for continuing to connect listeners...
info_outlineWine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
(0:10 - 0:23) The podcast begins with a warm welcome from hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa, who introduce the show as the go-to resource for wine enthusiasts exploring northern Sonoma County. They acknowledge Ron Rubin for his support in keeping the podcast alive and thriving. (0:24 - 0:48) The hosts express gratitude to y for their financial backing, which allows them to continue recording and sharing stories. They highlight the winery's offerings, including Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Russian River Valley, encouraging listeners to explore their website. (0:49 - 1:35) Celebrating...
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The podcast begins with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing the episode and thank their sponsor, Ron Rubin and for supporting the show (0:10-0:48). They welcome guest Bret Munsell of , a family friend with deep ties to the Alexander Valley wine community (0:49-1:15). Bret shares his family's 150-year farming legacy in Alexander Valley, starting with his great-great-grandfathers in the 1870s and 1880s, who initially focused on vineyards and wineries before diversifying into crops like prunes, hops, and dairy. By 1972, the family transitioned entirely to wine grapes...
info_outlineWine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
The podcast episode begins with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing the show (0:10-0:23) and expressing gratitude to sponsors like Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards and Winery for supporting the podcast (0:24-0:48). They welcome guest Beth Grossman, a long-time listener and wine enthusiast visiting from Arlington, Virginia, who has been exploring Sonoma County since 1994 (0:49-1:16). Beth shares her journey of discovering wine country, starting with a wedding trip in Bodega Bay, which led to visiting 23 wineries in four days—a pace she humorously advises against...
info_outlineWine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
(0:10-1:-01) The podcast episode begins with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing Episode 252 of Wine Road. They thank sponsors like Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards for supporting the show and highlight the featured guest, Savannah Esslinger, owner of Imagine Wine Country Marketing and president of Taste Route 116. (1:01-7:09) Savannah shares her journey from working in Sonoma County restaurants to entering the wine industry, starting at Harvest Moon Winery, where she gained hands-on experience in winemaking and hospitality. She discusses the origins of Taste Route...
info_outlineWine Road: The Wine, When, and Where of Northern Sonoma County.
(0:10 - 0:48) The podcast episode begins with hosts Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa introducing the show and thanking sponsors like Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards and Winery for their support (0:49 - 1:14) They welcome their guest, Virginie Boone, a celebrated wine writer and podcast host for "The Good Stuff" with Karissa Kruse, and discuss her extensive contributions to wine publications. (1:14 - 1:49) Virginie reflects on her experience as a guest on their show and the benefits of co-hosting, which allows for diverse perspectives and shared responsibilities. (1:50 - 11:48) The...
info_outlinePodcast Summary: Wine Road Episode 237
Welcome to another episode of Wine Road, hosted by Marcy Gordon and Beth Costa, with special thanks to Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards and Winery for their support. This episode features Julie Pedroncelli St. John, President and CEO of Pedroncelli Winery, and newly elected President of The Wine Road.
Highlights:
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Pedroncelli Winery's Legacy: Julie shares the rich history of her family-owned winery, which is nearing its 100th anniversary. She reflects on the winery's evolution, including their focus on Sauvignon Blanc, Zinfandel, and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the recent release of their Block 10 Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine showcases the best of Dry Creek Valley with its layered flavors and elegant tannins.
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Winery Updates: Julie discusses the winery's refreshed tasting room, complete with new landscaping, rock walls inspired by her great uncle's original designs, and a peaceful vineyard-view pergola. Visitors can enjoy a serene atmosphere with Adirondack chairs and picnic-friendly spaces.
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Upcoming Events: Pedroncelli Winery is hosting a harvest celebration in October, offering an immersive experience where guests can taste freshly picked grapes, sample wines from the tank, and witness the winemaking process firsthand.
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50 Years of The Wine Road: Julie celebrates the upcoming 50th anniversary of The Wine Road, highlighting the collaboration among wineries to promote the region. She emphasizes the importance of the iconic Wine Road map, a resource for visitors planning their adventures in Sonoma County.
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Personal Stories: Julie shares fond memories of growing up at the winery, from picking grapes as a child to working alongside her family. She also talks about her love for road trips, including her favorite drive along Highway 395 and visits to hidden gems like the ghost town of Bodie.
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Lodging Spotlight: Beth highlights the Geyserville Inn, a charming hotel surrounded by vineyards, offering a pool, on-site dining, and proximity to local tasting rooms and attractions.
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Wine and Food Affair: The hosts remind listeners to grab tickets for the Wine and Food Affair, happening November 1-2, where 50 wineries will pair wines with delicious recipes.
Julie’s passion for her family’s legacy and the wine community shines throughout the episode, making it a must-listen for wine enthusiasts planning a visit to Sonoma County.
Thanks to:
Ron Rubin and River Road Family Vineyards & Winery - for their financial support
Richard Ross and Threshold Studios - for making us sound so darn good!
Links from today:
Harvest Activities at Pedroncelli - Event Calendar
